Developer Proposes Building 57 Housing Units in Avon Neighborhood

The Avon Planning and Zoning Commission is reviewing applications that would allow a developer to build 57 housing units on Lenox Road.

A large crowd was expected at the Avon Volunteer Fire Department headquarters on Darling Drive March 19 for a public hearing on the project. Neighbors, including many from Haynes Road, have already raised concerns to town officials.

Bill Ferrigno of Sunlight Construction is looking for permission from the commission to build "23 single-family cluster subdivision lots" and 34 "condominium-style homes" at 44 Lenox Rd., according to background information town staff submitted to the commission for its meeting.

The single-family homes would be part of a development called Jefferson Crossing, divided into a mixture of 15,000- and 30,000-square-foot lots. The portion planned for condominiums would be named Southampton Village.

PDP Financial, LLC, and MOJO Enterprises, LLC own the land, which is zoned as R30, a residential zone, and amounts to nearly 46 acres in size. The applicants are asking the commission for permission to divide it into 24 lots – including 23 for the homes and one large 12.5-acre lot for the condos.

Haynes Road residents John Jennings and Lori Matthews wrote to town staff that while they "respect property owners’ rights to develop their property," development "should be done in manner that is sensitive to other property owners and to the overall welfare of our town."

Haynes Road residents James and Jody Fox wrote that the proposal has caused "angst" for them and their fellow neighbors. The surrounding streets house many families and the proposed development would be located slightly more than a mile from Avon High School.

"Just allowing the 'small' development Knoll Lane, a Sunlight Construction development [sic] has drastically changed the landscape of our street," the Fox family wrote to town staff in a letter protesting the project. "Our beautiful lawns were dug up and seeded with substandard seed which in turn grew weeds.  Beautifully established trees and shrubbery were cut down. Many of these trees still lie in piles on the side of the road which looks horrible. Large pieces of machinery still litter the sides of street as a constant reminder of how our neighborhood has changed."

Haynes Road residents Charles and Robin Thornton wrote to town staff that they believe low density development in that area is important to "preserve the quality of life that we all enjoy."

Virginia and James Kristie, who have lived nearby on Haynes Road in Avon for 36 years, wrote to town staff in a letter that Jefferson Crossing would "not be in harmony with the current neighborhoods that surround it."

"We as long-term residents wish to maintain the integrity and character of our neighborhood," the Kristies wrote in the letter. "We suggest instead that the town consider cluster homes, especially those that are age-restricted, be built closer to the town center for easier access to services, shops, and pubic transportation."

The Kristies also expressed concern that the new homes and potential "cut-through traffic" would increase the amount of cars passing through neighboring streets and "jeopardize the safety of the neighborhood’s children and pedestrians."

"We suggest that the town consider filtered permeability as a solution to excessive traffic," the Kristies wrote in their letter. "Allow emergency vehicular access to the road between Haynes and Jefferson Crossing but do not allow private/commercial vehicles to use the connector. This concession would preserve the safety and character of our street, not cost the town a penny, and yet still provide extra access when it is needed for an emergency."

Fire Marshal James DiPace wrote in comments submitted to the commission that the developer's plan "is consistent with Avon's circulation plan."

"The plan also eliminates the existing concern that the road may become impassable for emergency vehicles," DiPace wrote in his submitted comments. "This was realized during the [October] 2011 snowstorm."

The applicants informally presented the project to the commission in November. The commission will also need to approve the Ferrigno's site plan application in order for him to move forward with the project at that location.

What do you think about the proposal? How do you think the proposed housing developments would affect you? Tell us in the comments!